Shark Weak Electromagnetic (EM) Field Detection for Moving Objects Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-003 Topic Title: Shark Weak Electromagnetic (EM) Field Detection for Moving Objects Proposal No.: N051-003-1407 Firm: RD Instruments 9855 Businesspark Ave. San Deigo, California 92131 Contact: Jerry Mullison Phone: (858) 693-1178 Web Site: www.rdinstruments.com Abstract: This Phase I proposal is to establish the feasibility of a covert/low-observable sensor system for detecting and classifying small, slow moving surface or subsurface bodies in coastal shallow water, bays, port areas, or waterways utilizing weak EM signals or field deviations. We explore the possibility of developing a platform-independent sensor to emulate the observed electric sense of sharks. The sensor will be capable of deployment on the ocean bottom, Type A Sonobuoy size floats, and on AUVs. Substantial work must be done to enhance existing laboratory facilities with equipment necessary to control the ambient electric field, and this work is split across Phase I and a Phase I Option request. The sharks themselves will be our initial guides into what is possible. We will quantify the shark's ability to detect nonelectrogenic objects in an applied electric field, and determine the extent to which we can emulate it with custom-built electrodes. Once feasibility is determined, we will propose a prototype sensor capable of deployment on a variety of COTS platforms for Phase II. Benefits: The anticipated benefit of this research is a sensor that will be capable of detecting nonelectrogenic objects by detecting their distortion of an ambient magnetic field. This sensor will be capable of deployment on harbor bottoms or on a Type A Sonobuoy for detection of large submerged objects. This sensor could also be capable of deployment on a self-propelled vehicle and provide guidance to the detected objects. Return